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B. Munuswamy Naidu

1885 – 1935

Tiruttani lawyer who led the Justice Party back to power in 1930, governed through the Great Depression, and argued for opening the party to Brahmins.

Bollini Munuswamy Naidu (1885–1935) was born in Tiruttani to a family of agriculturists, and worked as a lawyer and businessman. An early member of the Justice Party, he became its president after the Raja of Panagal's death in 1928, was confirmed at the party's eleventh confederation in 1929 as a compromise between rival factions, and led it until 1932.

Under his leadership the party won the 1930 elections, and he was First Minister from 27 October 1930 to 4 November 1932. His tenure coincided with the Great Depression and floods in the southern districts; the government raised land tax to make up for falling revenue. Zamindars in the party, angered at their exclusion from the cabinet, organised against him, and in 1932 he resigned and lost the leadership to the Raja of Bobbili.

At the party's 1929 confederation he supported admitting Brahmins, arguing that a federation which excluded one community could not claim to represent all the people of the Presidency. The proposal was defeated, though the party did open its membership in 1934.

Key contributions

  • Led the Justice Party to victory in the 1930 elections
  • First Minister of Madras, 1930–1932
  • Argued in 1929 for opening party membership to all communities

Other sources